After breakfast, Dante and I decided to take a walk around the estate. Iona would no doubt be irritated that I had not sought her out for the tour, but with every passing moment that I was here, I grew more and more certain that my aunt was hiding something from me. If I was going to get a true, unfiltered view of what was happening here, I had to forge ahead without her.

Dante walked alongside me, his hazel eyes constantly moving as he watched for threats. It saddened me that the joy we had experienced last night had been so short lived, but I hardened my heart against the wave of sorrow. One lesson I was quickly learning was that being a queen did not allow time to wallow in emotions, whether it be grief or joy. A small price to pay for the power and privilege that came with the title.

At least that is what I told myself to keep my feet moving forward.

Most of the revelers had finally woken and made their way to their daily chores–or maybe their beds judging from the empty courtyard. Tables had been returned to the upright position and someone had picked up the trash and dishes that had been strewn about when I looked out the window earlier.

There was little here to interest me, aside from the occasional nostalgic sight. A stained glass window I clearly remembered breaking when I was about ten sun cycles. The flowerbed I had helped Aunt Iona create the next summer. I wondered if my favorite flowers still grew there and prayed I would be here in the spring to witness them blossom.

There were no paved roads between the buildings, only worn paths of dust and dirt. Right now, they were perfectly serviceable, but during the wet season, they would be muddy and treacherous. Since I imagined it would take some time to restore Radia to its former state of glory, Aunt Iona's estate would likely become the center of business and trade. I made a note to inquire about the cost of laying paver stones.

We paused on a hilltop. Down one side, I could see several smaller homes clustered together, the edges of their sharply slanted roofs close enough to touch. A cluster of elves chatted and sang together as they hung damp clothes on lines strung between spindly trees. A child shrieked with laughter as a big hound licked his filthy face.

Several yards behind them, four large homes blocked the horizon. Their yards were much bigger and far better tended, and imposing iron fences separated them from the shabby cottages. I frowned. Whether Edreshian or Estrellium, it would seem nobility did not change.

An elf garbed in pale blue silk stepped out of the largest house on the end. She held a parasol over her head to block the sunlight as she strolled around the garden. Not once did she smile, though every so often her attention drifted to the cottages. Another pretty bird in a cage. Would she trade her silks and gems for a chance to experience a moment of genuine happiness?

My frown deepened. It was never that simple. If asked, I was sure those dressed in rags would barter smiles for full bellies. My greatest wish as queen was that no one would have to choose between the two.

"Where are the businesses? The tradesman?" I asked, shading my eyes.

"What they call the town center is over there," Dante said, pointing to the eastern edge of the estate. A small stone building with a slanted metal roof was visible. "That's the smithy and beyond it are a few shops. A modiste and cobbler. A general store. A butcher, too. The grain stores are kept on the western edge of the property. They don't want to risk a fire from the forge breaking out and destroying all the grain."

"That's wise."

Dante smiled and put his hand on my lower back as started walking again. My breath hitched. He could not know how often Yoko had touched me just like that whenever we used to sneak through the palace together. She said it was so she could quickly pull me into the shadows if we heard someone approach, but I knew it was because she looked for any excuse to touch me.

His lips turned down, and his hand fell away, almost as if he read my thoughts. Only then did I realize my limbs had turned tense, and my brows were knitted together. I wanted to apologize, but I held my tongue. If he was angry about my reaction, that was something he could figure out. I had just lost the love of my life. My other half. There was nothing for me to be sorry for.

Suddenly, he sighed and glanced at me. His lips curved in a sad, half smile, and he bumped my shoulder with his. I blinked back tears and nudged him back. The tension between us lifted.

We didn't speak the rest of the walk to the town center. As we approached the smithy, the sharp clanging sound of metal striking metal rang out, and the cool mountain air grew warm and smoky. I wiped sweat off my neck as we stepped through the doorway and squinted at the various items propped against the walls as if waiting for pickup.

"Dante," I hissed, touching the broad blade of a sword. It glinted dully.

A bead of sweat ran down his forehead and dripped from the tip of his nose as he bent down to get a better look. "It's not just swords. There are arrow tips, daggers, axes, and scythes in here."

He was right. Everywhere we looked were piles of weapons and armor. "Iona made it seem as though they were not concerned about protecting themselves, but this...this is not just for protection."

"No." His eyes met mine through the smoke. "This is for war."

"Can I help you?"

"Aisla," I gasped as my cousin appeared.

A leather apron covered her front, and a large hammer dangled in her left hand. No wonder her arms were so muscular. I was surprised my aunt allowed her to work a trade, much less one so unbecoming of a young noblewoman.

"Did you need something repaired, or did my mother send you with a message?"

"What is all this?" I replied with my own question.

"Did your time in Edresh dull your wits, cousin?"

"You will watch your tongue when speaking to her," Dante growled.

I put my hand on his arm and shook my head. "Have I done something to offend you?"

She arched a pale brow and moved back to the blade she'd been working on. Two more strikes against the metal flattened it out completely, and she thrust it into a barrel of water where it let out a screaming hiss.

"I'm busy."

Dante folded his arms over his chest. "Making enough weapons for an army?"

Aisla dropped the hammer on a table and swung back around. Light sparked in her eyes. She might not carry the starlight of a queen, but she was not without power.

"Some of us believe it is wise to be prepared for anything, while others prefer a wait and see approach." Her hand swept around the room. "Care to take a guess which one I am?"

"And your mother is the other I presume?"

"She is. They have grown soft over the last twelve sun cycles. Our mountains and the thorn wall have made them complacent. They do not think we can be attacked, but they have all forgotten that we should have not been attacked before." Aisla clenched her jaw as she glared at me. "And if you have made it back, then others could follow."

"Do you think me a traitor?" I asked. Dante winced.

Aisla lifted a single shoulder in a half hearted shrug. "I do not know what to think. There are those who think you betrayed us."

"But do you? Did you leave a note in my room this morning?"

Her expression shifted to confusion so swiftly I knew she was telling the truth when she said, "I have not been in your room, and I do not know what note you're talking about."

"So, if you do not think me a traitor, then why have you acted so distant since I arrived?"

She snorted and rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry if I did not fall all over you. Did that offend your queenly sensibilities?"

"No, but perhaps it offends you that I am here to take what you thought would be your title one day?"

"You're welcome to believe that if you'd like." She scooped up her hammer and grabbed a piece of metal from a pile. She thrust it into orange coals. "I have work to do. You can go now."

"Come on."

Dante tugged on my arm, drawing me out of the forge. We both dragged in lungfuls of cool, clean air and wiped sweat off our faces.

"Do you find her behavior strange?" I demanded.

"Only a little," he replied, holding his hands up defensively when I opened my mouth to argue. "It's just that she doesn't really know you. She was a child, and maybe your feelings are hurt that she didn't fall all over you."

"Well, I...I never."

He laughed and threw his arm around my shoulder, dragging me toward the modiste's shop. "Close your mouth, As. Don't be offended."

"I am not offended."

"You are."

"I am not," I protested, even as I joined his laughter.

Before we stepped inside the next shop, I paused and looked back at my cousin's forge. Standing in front of the building was a figure backlit by the sun. Watching me. I covered my eyes, hoping to see her expression, but when she realized I watched her back, she went back inside.